Breathing at Last!

Warm Intrigues: A Sequel

In this excerpt, Phoenix and Tyre are eating at a Japanese restaurant. They are enjoying themselves as they get to know each other.

{From: Chapter 4 – The Call}

They both, again, chose salads to keep the promise of increased health. She chose fried rice and shrimp as her one side. He chose chicken and beef as his two sides and the chef heaved their helpings on to their plates after he cooked the food for the entire table. They talked as they watched the chef cook up the ingredients of the meals and somehow remembered exactly what each person had ordered. The servings were plentiful.

Phoenix and Tyre laughed and talked about light things such as the latest on their jobs, what they were reading, and whatever personal projects they were engaged in. She shared that she was reading a book by Susan Wiggs. She told him that she had to keep something truly adult around to have an outlet after reading so much young adult literature for the job.

Tyre shared that he also took delight in reading things that are not work-related. He subscribed to a few magazines for leisure reading. He also shared that he had recently started taking a course called Spanish for Educators.

“Was that required?” she asked.

“No. I just want to be able to communicate with all of my students, and the Spanish—speaking community is one of the fastest growing populations of the country, you know,” he said.

“Yes. Being bilingual makes you highly marketable,” she said.

As the conversation flourished, once again, time seemed to fly to both of them. At one point, Tyre excused himself as he went to the men’s room. Phoenix noticed that when he left, it was as if the air had left the room and her breathing became more constricted. She spent that time to take notice of the lovely Japanese art that hung on the walls to stay occupied while he was gone.

“Wow,” she thought. “What a strong presence! What an effect!”

When he returned and took his seat beside her, her breathing seemed to even out. She stared out in space and asked herself, “What is this?”

He inquired, “Phoenix, are you okay? You want to share that faraway place you just traveled to?”

“Nah. You wouldn’t understand,” she responded.

“Try me,” he said.

“I will. At another time. In another location,” she said.

“Does that mean that I will get another chance to see you?” he asked.

“Affirmative,” she answered.

He beamed. That one dimple appeared as he paid for their meal.

“I like this man,” she thought. “Should I pinch myself?”

When they crossed the little bridge in the lobby of Hamada’s, he took her hand lightly and said, “Be careful.” This time, she did not let go of his hand. Their theatrical performance drew consenting smiles from the older couples that aligned the awaiting bench. One elderly gentleman said to Tyre, “Hold on to her.”

“I plan to,” he responded.

*Click on the arrow to hear Faith Hill’s song, ‘Breathe.’ Phoenix and Tyre are finally able to relax and breathe a little easier after many hardships.